PSA: Here Are the 7 Secrets to Absolutely Nailing Heatwave Hair
Main image – Leandrocrespi/Stocksy
Summer has officially arrived! Those balmy evenings are back, the BBQ’s hot and the factor 50’s been bought in bulk.
But along with all the things we love about warmer weather, comes a whole lot of heat for our hair too, and not always in a good way.
Humidity, sea salt, chlorine and UV are just a few things we need to consider when packing for our summer holiday. Because whilst we love the way summer makes us feel, we don’t love the damage it can sometimes do to our hair.
Here, we’ve got seven ways to ensure your scalp and hair make it through summer unscathed thanks to expert quotes from creative ambassador for British salon group Headmasters, Clare Hansford, and co-founder of viral hair tool brand T3, Dr Julie Chung. Because the healthy hair look is just so 2025.
1. Use heat wisely
Whilst it’s lovely to waft through the summer months with effortless wet or damp hair, leaving it to dry naturally does have its downsides. “Wet hair is the most susceptible to damage and breakage, so I still use my tools during the summer months to maintain hair health,” explains Dr Chung.
And apparently diffusers are the way to go for summer hair health. “They are great for drying your hair quickly and gently, especially during the summer when you want more of a natural, effortless look,” she adds.
Diffusers are particularly handy for those with frizzy hair. “I like to use a diffuser on my hair dryer to bring back some of my natural texture while minimising frizz. If you have any sort of texture in your hair, I’d recommend you give that a try.”
Image – Bruceandrebeccameissner/Stocksy
Look for a hairdryer that has a cool setting too. “The cool air shot on our drying tools also locks in style and minimises frizz, especially as summer heat and humidity tends to create more frizz and affect the longevity of your style,” explains Dr Chung.
And what about tools in between washes? “I love using the T3 Aire 360 (£249.99 from T3 UK /$299.99 from T3 US),” she says. “Its various attachments help me refresh my style and hair with less heat.”
If you’re going to continue to straighten your hair this summer, make sure you use a good heat protector like Schwarzkopf Blow Dry Straightening Cream (£4.50 from Amazon UK) which not only creates a barrier against heat styling tools but keeps the finish nice and sleek too.
2. Be aware of chlorine
Ever swum in the pool on holiday and noticed your blonde hair go a fetching shade of green? That’ll be the chlorine. But Hansford says there are ways to avoid chemicals tainting your colour.
“Rinsing your hair [in tap water] before swimming is crucial,” she says. “Hair acts like a sponge, so if it’s already saturated with tap water, it’ll absorb less salt or chlorine. After swimming, rinse again and follow up with a moisturising spray or conditioner.”
If you don’t want to rinse first, “you can also use a leave-in conditioner or protective spray to coat the hair before it hits the water,” she says. What happens if it’s too late? “If you do get a green tinge, a rinse with a bit of apple cider vinegar diluted in water can help neutralise it.”
And if you’re really committed to the cause, “prevention is always easier than cure,” she says. “If you can, the very best thing is not getting your hair wet with the chlorinated water so if it is long enough and you can pile it up on top of your head in a messy bun.”
3. Build a good holiday hair kit
Of course packing a decent haul of sunscreen is a must for when you’re going on holiday but products to keep your hair healthy while you’re in the heat are crucial too.
“A deep conditioning mask is a must – I’d use it mid-holiday to rehydrate parched ends,” says Hansford. Anything else? “A wide-tooth comb to detangle without breakage, a leave-in conditioner for daily moisture and protection and if you’re styling, a mini multi-styler or wand that works on low heat settings is great for easy, undone waves.”
For your beach bag, Hansford recommends a lightweight hair mist or UV and moisture spray. “Something you can top up throughout the day, like SPF for your hair,” she says. “A silk or satin scrunchie is also great for tying up your hair without causing breakage or dents.”
Image – Charles Worthington
Try Charles Worthington’s Sunshine UV Protection Leave-In Spray Takeaway (£3.49 from Boots UK), which protects both the scalp and hair, or Kerastase’s Soleil Masque Apres-Soleil Nourishing Mask (£42.50 from Boots UK /$51 from Kerastase US) which has been specifically created for post-sun hair.
4. Be savvy about washing
There’s talk online about how often you should wash your hair in the summer, with many believing that washing it less during the warmer months keeps it healthier.
Hansford’s not so sure. “It depends on your lifestyle,” she says. “It is really important for healthy hair growth that you keep your scalp clean and clear of debris – so as long as you are using a good shampoo that is moisturising and always using a conditioner and heat protector then you can wash as normal.”
Image – Bratco/Stocksy
5. Get ahead of humidity
Hands up whose hair style is ruined by humidity within minutes! Hansford says hydration is the key to tackling it. “Ironically, frizz is often your hair crying out for moisture (the right kind!),” she says. “A light oil or serum through mid-lengths and ends can really help.
One trick I love is applying a leave-in conditioner before heading into humid air – it helps keep the hair cuticle smoother. And if you can, sleep in a silk wrap or pillowcase to reduce overnight frizz.
6. Stay on-trend
“I’m loving effortless, undone textures—soft waves that look like you’ve just come from the beach (even if you haven’t!),” says Hansford. “This style also allows for some natural drying so helps reduce heat to the hair.” Bonus!
To fake the perfect beachy waves without the heat, I love Silke London’s Heatless Curler Set (£42 from Boots UK /$56 from Silke London US) for its use of high quality mulberry silk, as well as the width of its silk curling barrels, which create a beautiful tousled look.
Anything else we could do to stay on-trend? “Braids are also having a moment – especially paired with a sleek middle part and some statement accessories. And the low bun is still a summer classic – chic, cool and perfect for humidity,” says Hansford.
7. Add an extra trim into the diary
Hansford says keeping on top of salon appointments could do your summer hair the world of good. “Sun, salt and heat all dry out the ends and can accelerate split ends,” she explains.
“A light trim mid-summer keeps your style fresh and stops damage from travelling up the hair shaft. It’s a small step that makes a big difference.” Chop chop…
The takeaway
So, the rules of healthy summer hair are simple. Take the right products and tools with you on holiday, be cautious when it comes to swimming in a chlorinated pool, keep your hair trimmed regularly and don’t overdo the heat styling (but don’t hold back on it completely either).
Your scalp is just as important as your hair – after all, a healthy scalp results in healthy hair – so treat it the same as you would treat the skin on your face and body by not letting it get scorched in the sun.
All this, combined with some easy to create, on-trend styles recommended by Hansford will ensure both you and your hair have a sizzling summer!
Meet the experts
Clare Hansford is creative ambassador for Headmasters. The first Headmasters salon opened in Wimbledon Village, London, in 1982 and has grown into one of the UK’s biggest salon groups, consisting of 54 salons and 2 academies, employing over 700 Stylists, 200 Apprentices and 100 Front of House Team.
Dr Julie Chung is a co-founder of T3, and was the muse for the brand’s first product: the T3 Featherweight hair dryer, which single-handedly created the premium hair tools category when it debuted in 2004. Julie played a central role in conceptualising the breakthrough hairdryer, as well as crafting the brand’s identity, which was first to anchor hair tools firmly in the beauty category.
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